PVC Initiative for Good Governance Diaspora (PIGGD), has accused the opposition of using the chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), to wage war against governor Hope Udodinma of Imo State.
Recall that security operatives had allegedly descended on Ajaero alongside other Labour leaders, smashing their vehicles, inflicting injuries on them and dispossessing handsets, money, and ATM cards among other valuables from the Labour leaders and others who had gathered at the NLC State secretariat to begin a scheduled protest over pending labour issues.
Though, the police denied arresting him but said the labour leader was saved by the operatives of the force from a mob attack.
But PIGGD in a statement signed by its director general, Wisdom Opara which a copy was made available to NewsBand Newspaper, expressed displeasure over attempt by Ajaero to cause chaos in Imo by mobilizing civil servants from other states to stage protest against governor Hope Uzodinma.
The pro-democracy group wondered why the labour leader waited until few days to election to stage the protest if not to defame the governor.
While urging NLC to purge itself from partisan politics, it however, warned the union to comrade Ajaero to order.
The statement reads, “As Imo state is drawing close to a constitutional election, Joe Ajaero must not be used to cause chaos in the state. Hope Uzodimma has succeeded in stabilizing the security situation in the state, even when many thought election could not be held due to insecurity, now proving doubters wrong, Joe Ajaero must be called to order.
“We have swiftly carried out investigation and can confirm the Governor of Imo state has been duly paying Imo state workers and if Joe Ajaero has concern with other states’ civil servants, Governor Hope Uzodimma is the governor of Imo state. He should rightly take his protest to the states of concern, because Imo civil servants are taken care of.
“Carrying out protest few days to election in Imo state has ulterior motive, it is not normal protest but aimed to cause chaos and destabilize the peace the state government has succeeded in restoring. Why must Joe Ajaero wait until few days to election before carrying out his so-called protest that has nothing to do with Imo state civil servants.
“The protest was eventually hijacked by thugs which threatened public peace, forcing the NLC president to be taken into protective custody, yet, instead of commend our Police Force for timely intervention, he decided to go media and attacked good personnel of our force that intervened.
“It is unimaginable that the NLC president could go the length of mobilizing civil servants from other states to Imo state, what is the rational of using Imo state as protest ground if not to blackmail the governor who is the choice of the electorate in the state? We see the move by the NLC as a deliberate measure to defame and blackmail the state Governor who has fought well for the state. He is working in tandem with opposition parties in the state to discredit the Governor.
“We also have on good record the political interests of Joe Ajaero who is modeling his NLC tenure after that of Senator Adams Oshiomhole, but he has failed to learn from the former Governor who worked his way peacefully and diplomatically. Adams Oshiomhole did not set Edo state on fire when he was NLC President; he worked his way to political office in peace and understanding.
“Oppositions in Imo state are using every means possible to have a go at the ruling party and we have on good record the moves they have made to using proxies to fight the government of the day. PVC Initiative for Good Governance Diaspora (PIGGD) considers it a dangerous trend; we need peace in Imo state – a state that is now recovering from harsh security downgrade.
“NLC must do everything possible to abstain from politics, and it should start with calling Joe Ajaero to order. Every interest should be sorted with PVC and not public disorder that is capable of igniting violence or giving negative elements opportunity to hijack and cause insecurity in the state.
“We call all NUPENG and other sister organizations to be careful, do investigation before jumping into Imo state debacle. They should perceive or hear the hidden motive of the actions that led to the issue in the state. NLC must remain apolitical – they must differentiate between political interest and civil interest.
“Imo state debacle caused by Joe Ajaero has a political undertone and he should be called to order. We believe and urge politicians to convince voters and settle their fights on the ballot paper. Proxy fights that could throw states into turmoil at the expense of the public should be discouraged.”
